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Ireland hammers Windies by six wickets

West Indies Chris Gayle hits out on his return to West Indies action during the first T20 International against Ireland at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, yesterday. Gayle scored a team-high 18, not enough to help the regional side from suffering a six-wicket loss. Photo: windiescricket.com

KINGSTON—World T20 champions West Indies plummeted to a painful six wicket defeat against Ireland in their first T20 international at Sabina Park in Jamaica yesterday.

Ireland easily chased down the West Indies sub-par total of 116 for 8 from their 20 overs to win their first Twenty20 International against the Caribbean side.

A brilliant performance by Ireland in the field severely restricted the West Indies batting and ensured none of their batsmen reached 20.

A 31 run opening stand between Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith collapsed and both batsmen departed in the space of seven balls.

Smith hit two sixes and was caught in the deep hitting to leg for 14.

Gayle, who has just returned from injury, top scored with 18 including three fours but lost his wicket chipping Alex Cusack to long-on.

West Indies, scoring at less than a run a ball, slid further to 58 for three after losing Samuels for 16, stumped.

Dwayne Bravo and Lendl Simmons rallied in the second biggest partnership of the innings, 20, for the third wicket.

Bravo was caught at third man for eight, Simmons was caught in the deep for 16 while Tim Murtagh yorked Andre Russell for 15.

Tim Murtagh, Alex Cusack, Kevin O’Brian picked up two wickets each for Ireland.

Ireland found themselves in trouble early in their chase after openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling were dismissed inside eight balls.

But Ed Joyce led the way with an unbeaten 40 and shared in two important partnerships that provided the main foundation for Ireland’s victory.

Joyce , who hit two fours in a composed innings,and Gary Wilson adding 29 in 5.2 overs for the third wicket as West Indies bowlers toiled in the field.

Joyce also shared in a 58 run stand with Andrew Poynter which brought Ireland well within reach of victory.

Kevin O'Brien, one of two survivors from the team that beat Pakistan at Sabina Park during the 2007 World Cup, hit the winning runs.

Samuel Badree, who played a major role in putting Ireland on pressure in the earlier part of their innings, finished with two for 18 from his four overs.

The two sides meet in the finals T20 match of the series tomorrow. CMC